Exerp
Exerp is a global IT specialist in member management software for the fitness and leisure industry. By focusing on the needs of large enterprises, where streamlining, control and scalability are…
read moreWith new data showing that Victorian women are feeling unwelcome and intimated by gyms - resulting in them shunning their local fitness centres and missing out on the chance to get healthy and active - a new campaign is aiming to end ‘gym intimidation’.
VicHealth’s research shows gyms are particularly daunting for mothers and women who are new to health and fitness, with more than 70% of mums and 65% of women new to health and fitness finding them intimidating places to workout.
Other barriers include costs of gym memberships and time pressures with some 71% of inactive women shunned the gym because of costs, while 62%% of mums wished they had more time to get active.
Aiming to change this, the Victorian Government and VicHealth rolling out the $500,000 Innovation Challenge: Physical Activity Program grants for clever initiatives or programs that offer women more options than just everyday gym memberships and classes.
Grants will be made available for things like exercise programs aimed at culturally diverse women, training for gym staff to provide a more welcoming environment, or initiatives such as women’s-only classes or workout spaces.
The latest grants will help make council owned facilities like pools, gyms and parks more inclusive and welcoming for women. In addition, grants are also available to make traditional sport more inclusive for less active, disadvantaged and culturally diverse Victorians.
Introducing the Program, Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos stated “while gyms can be great places to get active, too many women and girls find them too intimidating and horribly daunting. We’re changing that.
“We want as many women as possible to get active and enjoy the physical and social benefits it brings ... everyone can take small steps towards a healthier life.”
VicHealth acting Chief Executive Dr Lyn Roberts added “we’ve heard so many stories through our This Girl Can Victoria campaign of women who’ve worked up the courage to try a sport or go to the gym only to never go back because they don’t feel welcomed and included.
"We know this isn’t what sports organisations and councils want, which is why we’re encouraging them to apply for this funding – we want your clever ideas to help more people to give physical activity a go.”
Applications for the VicHealth Innovation Challenge: Physical Activity grants are open until 18th April.
Click here for more information.
29th March 2019 - New womens fitness business summit to launch in Sydney
18th March 2019 - VicHealth report says women are ‘shamed’ into quitting fitness activities
14th March 2019 - Nielsen analysts suggest new ways to ‘value’ the rise of women’s sport
20th February 2019 - Jerril Rechter named as new Chief Executive of Basketball Australia
20th January 2019 - Women in Fitness Association names global ambassadors
7th November 2018 - VicHealth initiates new sports programs to get Victorians active
11th October 2018 - VicHealth’s wellness and activity promotion recognised with Australasian Leisure Management award
23rd May 2018 - Swing Fit encourages women into golf
14th April 2018 - Women drive global growth of boutique fitness studios
31st August 2017 - Snap Fitness offers ‘less intimidating environments’ for older exercisers
27th July 2017 - Survey shows Fernwood delivers Australia’s most satisfied fitness club members
12th July 2015 - Medibank’s GymBetter expands with Fernwood Fitness and YMCA partnerships
24th June 2015 - Fernwood Female Fitness gains highest level of customer satisfaction among Australian gym chains
23rd June 2015 - One in four fitness club members would pay more for single-sex gyms
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